
Overview
Background
Professor Joan Esterle is the Chair of the Vale-UQ Coal Geoscience Program. Her research interests are varied but focussed on how geological history impacts on coal measures behaviour during mining, processing and utilisation. She also develops 3D models for the distribution of sedimentary strata that can be used to predict geohazards in coal mines or reservoir behaviour in conventional and non conventional gas resources, and for geosequestration. In addition to working with Vale and other industry partners, she conducts multi-client studies through the Australian Coal Research Program (ACARP), The Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research (ANLECRD), and the UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas (CCSG).
She received her PhD from The University of Kentucky, USA, in 1990. She worked for 17 years with CSIRO, followed by GeoGAS-Runge Group before joining the UQ full time in 2010. Current projects include:
- CCSG Surat Geological Framework and Faults and Fractures
- ACARP Rangal Supermodel-Bowen Basin and Cenozoic Fault Reactivation
- ANLEC Outcrop Analogue Modelling for CO2 Sequestration
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Research) of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky
- Doctor of Philosophy of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky
Works
Search Professor Joan Esterle’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Other Outputs
Geological controls on fluorine and phosphorus in Bowen Basin coals
Davis, Brooke , Rodrigues, Sandra , Duxbury, Alex , Sliwa, Renate and Esterle, Joan (2022). Geological controls on fluorine and phosphorus in Bowen Basin coals. Australia: Australian Coal Association Research Program.
2022
Other Outputs
Reducing the subjectivity of CMRR calculation using machine learning
Chen, Zhongwei, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Esterle, Joan, Zhong, Ruizhi and Pirona, Claire (2022). Reducing the subjectivity of CMRR calculation using machine learning. https://www.acarp.com.au/: ACARP.
2022
Other Outputs
Optical microscopy investigation of coal – PUR interactions
Rodrigues, Sandra, Congo, Tara and Esterle, Joan (2022). Optical microscopy investigation of coal – PUR interactions. -:
2022
Journal Article
Characterizing the contemporary stress orientations near an active continental rifting zone: A case study from the Moatize Basin, central Mozambique
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan, Heidbach, Oliver, Travassos, Daniel and Fumo, Silvestre (2022). Characterizing the contemporary stress orientations near an active continental rifting zone: A case study from the Moatize Basin, central Mozambique. Basin Research, 34 (4), 1292-1313. doi: 10.1111/bre.12660
2022
Conference Publication
UCS prediction by group-based machine learning method
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Giese, Stephen, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). UCS prediction by group-based machine learning method. Resource Operators Conference, Virtual, 10-11 February 2022. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Wollongong and University of Southern Queensland.
2022
Journal Article
Impact of in-situ density spatial model methods on resource tonnages in highly intruded coal deposits
Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2022). Impact of in-situ density spatial model methods on resource tonnages in highly intruded coal deposits. Natural Resources Research, 31 (1), 499-515. doi: 10.1007/s11053-021-09989-0
2022
Journal Article
Isotopic and hydrogeochemical evidence for biogenic gas in Cuervos Formation coal beds, Cesar Rancheria Basin, Colombia
Sepulveda-Castaneda, Victor M., Esterle, Joan S., Golding, Suzanne D. and Gonzalez, Sebastian (2022). Isotopic and hydrogeochemical evidence for biogenic gas in Cuervos Formation coal beds, Cesar Rancheria Basin, Colombia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 249 103882, 103882. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103882
2022
Conference Publication
The effect of thermal alteration on coking behaviour
Congo, Tara, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan and Steel, Karen (2022). The effect of thermal alteration on coking behaviour. Bowen Basin Symposium, Mackay, QLD Australia, 28-30 March 2022.
2021
Journal Article
Spatial interpolation of coal properties using geographic quantile regression forest
Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2021). Spatial interpolation of coal properties using geographic quantile regression forest. International Journal of Coal Geology 103869, 103869. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103869
2021
Journal Article
Geochemical influences on methanogenic groundwater from a low rank coal seam gas reservoir: Walloon Subgroup, Surat Basin
Baublys, K. A., Hofmann, H., Esterle, J. S., Cendón, D. I., Vink, S. and Golding, S. D. (2021). Geochemical influences on methanogenic groundwater from a low rank coal seam gas reservoir: Walloon Subgroup, Surat Basin. International Journal of Coal Geology, 246 103841, 103841. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103841
2021
Conference Publication
Evidence for hydrocarbon generation in macerals from the Parvadeh Coalfield, Tbas, Iran
Esmailpour, R., Alipour, A., Rodrigues, S. and Esterle, J. S. (2021). Evidence for hydrocarbon generation in macerals from the Parvadeh Coalfield, Tbas, Iran. 72nd Annual International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic, 19-25 September 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Optical tracking of maceral response to pyrolysis and variation with degree of thermal alteration
Congo, T., Rodrigues, S., Esterle, J. and Steele, K. (2021). Optical tracking of maceral response to pyrolysis and variation with degree of thermal alteration. International Committe for Coal and Organic Petrology, Prague, Czech Republic, 19-25 September 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
In-situ stress pattern along the Jellinbah Fold Thrust Belt in the Bowen Basin, Australia
Mukherjee, Saswata, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan and Sliwa, Renate (2021). In-situ stress pattern along the Jellinbah Fold Thrust Belt in the Bowen Basin, Australia. 3rd Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, Online, 13-17 September 2021. Crows Nest, NSW Australia: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
2021
Conference Publication
The effect of Igneous Intrusion on the Mineral Matter in Coal, Moatize Bain, Mozambique
Yu, Tianjiao, Rodrigues, Sandra and Esterle, Joan (2021). The effect of Igneous Intrusion on the Mineral Matter in Coal, Moatize Bain, Mozambique. 37th TSOP Annual Meeting, Bulgaria, 12-14 September 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Geographic quantile regression forest: a new method for spatial modelling of mineral commodities
Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2021). Geographic quantile regression forest: a new method for spatial modelling of mineral commodities. 3rd Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, Online, 13-17 September 2021. Crows Nest, NSW Australia: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
2021
Other Outputs
Coal spectral libraries for scanning devices
Rodrigues, Sandra , Esterle, Joan and Fonteneau, Lionel (2021). Coal spectral libraries for scanning devices. Brisbane, Australia: ACARP.
2021
Journal Article
Relationship between coal composition, fracture abundance and initial reservoir permeability: a case study in the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Australia
Mukherjee, Saswata, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2021). Relationship between coal composition, fracture abundance and initial reservoir permeability: a case study in the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 240 103726, 103726. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103726
2021
Journal Article
Geochemistry of apatite in Late Permian coals, Bowen Basin, Australia
Davis, Brooke A., Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan S., Nguyen, Ai D., Duxbury, Alexander J. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2021). Geochemistry of apatite in Late Permian coals, Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 237 103708, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103708
2021
Conference Publication
Cenozoic Channel Deposits of the Bowen Basin, Queensland
Yu, Tianjiao, Dube, Kudzai, Moss, Patrick, Abylgazina, Adiya, Cooling, Jennifer and Esterle, Joan (2021). Cenozoic Channel Deposits of the Bowen Basin, Queensland. Australian Earth Sciences Convention 2021, Virtual, 9-12 February 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
In-situ stress and geological structure influence on the coal fractures and initial reservoir permeability within Coal Seam Gas reservoirs, eastern Surat Basin
Mukherjee, Saswata, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2021). In-situ stress and geological structure influence on the coal fractures and initial reservoir permeability within Coal Seam Gas reservoirs, eastern Surat Basin . Australian Earth Sciences Convention – ‘Core to Cosmos’ (AESC2021), Virtual, 9-12 February 2021.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir characterisation in the southern Denison Trough for carbon dioxide storage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julie Pearce
-
Doctor Philosophy
Geological characterisation of the southern Denison Trough for CO2 sequestration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julie Pearce
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production of high strength metallurgical coke from coal-biomass blends for low emission steel production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
Doctor Philosophy
High value bio-coke for low emission steel production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Development of an Automated Method for Classifying Coal Banding from Core Images
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Variability in stress, fracture and key coal reservoir parameters in the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Synthetic Rock Mass Modelling of a Large Mine Slope Failure
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Spatiotemporal variation in the Permian-Triassic pre- and post-extinction palynology of the Bowen and Galilee basins (Australia)
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Stable Isotope and Molecular Composition of Coalbed Production Gas and Waters of a Coalbed Methane Field in the Cesar Rancheria Basin, Colombia: Implications for Gas Origins and Distribution
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of P- and F-bearing minerals in Bowen Basin coals: Implications for source and emplacement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition, northern Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Alternative methods for geomechanical characterisation of sub-bituminous coal, Surat Basin, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Stratigraphic architecture of Lopingian (upper Permian) strata in the Galilee Basin, NE Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating Coal Petrology, Geochemistry and Geochronology to Understand Spatial Variation in the Walloon Subgroup
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Controls on Sediment Distribution in the Late Permian Rangal Coal Measures of the Nebo Synclinorium
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation of numerical facies models for coal seam gas reservoirs; Walloon Subgroup, Surat Basin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jim Underschultz
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Pre-Permian basement and lithological controls on the development of the Jellinbah Thrust Belt: Insight from a new palinspastic reconstruction
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
PORE STRUCTURE CHANGES FROM WOOD TO VITRAIN: A CASE STUDY FROM NEW ZEALAND COAL
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Stratigraphic architecture and coal character of Late Permian Fort Cooper Coal Measures, Bowen Basin, Queensland.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Biogenic Methane in Indonesian Coal: Assessing the Potential using Culture Enrichment, Molecular Phylogenetic and Isotopic Analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
The role of hydrogeology, in situ stress and temperature logs in the distribution and delineation of coal seam gas regimes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Controls on spatial variability of methanogenesis in the Walloon Subgroup, eastern Surat Basin, Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2010
Master Philosophy
Analysis of Gas and Water Production Pathways in Coal Seams
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2023
Master Philosophy
X-ray Transparent Cell to examine the effect of methane adsorption on coal cleat volume
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Failure of the Hard Roof and the Impact on Coal Burst Occurrence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
CO2-water-rock interactions in low-salinity reservoir systems
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding, Dr Julie Pearce
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Formation Evaluation using Petrophysical Logs & Digitalisation Technology to Improve Reservoir Characterisation, Resources Estimation and Conceptual Well Design for Coal Seam Gas Field Development Planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jim Underschultz
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Numerical Investigation of Mechanisms of Ultrasonic Wave Stimulation-Induced Mechanical Vibration and Variation of Cleat Width in Coal Seam Gas Reservoirs
Associate Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Natural caving systems as potential analogues to mining induced caving
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tony Webster
-
2015
Master Philosophy
Subsurface architecture of the Texas Orocline and its influence on in situ stresses in the overlying Surat Basin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gideon Rosenbaum
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
The geometry, kinematics, and reactivation history of major fault systems in eastern Australia: Implications for deformation phases from the Permian to Cenozoic
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gideon Rosenbaum
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Modifying Subterranean Fluid Flow Patterns Using Barriers to Improve Pre-Drainage in Coal Mining
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Carbon dioxide sequestration in coal: The relationships between coal structure, texture, and mineralogy, and the role of mineral reactivity with carbonic acid
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
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